International Geoscience Programme
In 2021, UNESCO’s Earth Sciences Secretariat approved project 727 – “Geological heritage – sustainable management of geological hazards and water resources in the transboundary region of Kyrgyzstan“.
For the first time, the IGCP project appeared on the territory of Central Asia.
UNESCO is the only United Nations organization with a mandate to support research and capacity-building in geology and geophysics, and the International Geoscience Program is its flagship international engagement platform
This project provides an opportunity for the geological community of Kyrgyzstan to integrate into modern international geological science. This is a chance to develop a new direction for Kyrgyzstan on the principle of “Geology for Sustainable Development”.
Modern ideas for the creation of geoparks all over the world are the desire of progressive geoecologists to conduct geoconservation of unique geological diversity. But the geoconservation of geological heritage sites must benefit society. Showcasing geological heritage together with cultural heritage is the foundation for ecotourism and sustainable development.
The idea is that geodiversity is at the core of biodiversity and every ecosystem. Therefore, the preservation of natural geological landscapes is an important component of the sustainable development of all ecosystems.
Therefore, the key mission of the 727 project is to make the contribution of geologists in Kyrgyzstan to help UNESCO in the preservation of geological heritage and the creation of a global geopark, as well as to solve pressing problems related to geological hazards and water resources.
One of the main objectives of the project is to involve local residents and officials in the idea of creating a Geopark.
The International Consortium on Landslides (ICL)
The Tian-Shan Geological Society is a full member of the International Consortium on Landslides.
The International Consortium on Landslides (ICL), established at the Kyoto Symposium in January 2002, is an International non-governmental and non-profit scientific organization. The ICL established the International Program on Landslides (IPL) as an ICL Program for the Tokyo Action Plan by 2006. The IPL includes IPL projects, the three-year World Landslide Forum (WLF) and the World Centers of Excellence for landslide risk reduction (WCoE).
The ICL has offered partnerships with the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR), ISDR-ICL Sendai 2015-2025, to promote global understanding and reduce the risk of landslides at the Third World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (3rd Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030) in Sendai, Japan. It was adopted and signed by 16 organizations of the United Nations, as well as international and national organizations.
At present, TSGS together with partner organizations developed a project to reduce the risks of landslide hazard in Kyrgyzstan.
The International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS)
In September 2018, the Executive Committee of the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) decided to grant the TSGS membership in IUGS as 123 active members of this organization. In this regard, the Tien-Shan Geological Society represents the interests of geologists, scientists of Kyrgyzstan in the International Union of Geological Sciences – the oldest and most influential scientific organization in the world, founded in 1878 in Paris. The International Union of Geologists seeks to promote the development of Earth sciences by supporting large-scale scientific researches relevant to the entire Earth system; apply the results of these and other studies to preserve the natural environment on Earth, wisely using all natural resources and improving the welfare of nations and the quality of life of people; and to raise public awareness of geology and promote geological education in the widest sense.
In 2020, the TSGS intends to take part in the 36th International Geological Congress, which will be held in March 2-8 in the capital of India, New Delhi. For the first time, scientists, geologists of the republic will take part in the work of the IGC, which will contribute to the modern appearance of the geologists of the republic, the opportunities for obtaining and effectively using information about world achievements on geological science and applied methods. The participation of the Kyrgyz delegation at the International Geological Congress will contribute to the acquisition new experience and a new level of culture, of international relations with foreign colleagues.
Kyrgyzstan’s membership in the IUGS and its participation in the IGC will be one of the image projects for the country. Members of the Geological Society will also take part in the GEO EXPO – 2020, which will be held within the framework of the IGC, where stands and current geological materials of interest to the global geological community will be presented, in the form of achievements of the geologists of Kyrgyzstan: scientific works, maps, atlases, forecasts and others.